BOSTON BALLET PRESENTS MIKKO NISSINEN’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NEW PRODUCTION OF THE NUTCRACKER

NEW ENGLAND’S #1 HOLIDAY TRADITION

Carrying on New England’s #1 Holiday Tradition, Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker returns to the stage November 29-December 29 at the Boston Opera House. Following its world premiere in 2012, the production gained record breaking popularity and dazzled audiences with its fresh sets and costumes that The New York Times hailed as, “elegant and theatrically striking.” This year’s production features the full company and over 250 Boston Ballet School students, along with the visionary designs of Robert Perdziola.

Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Robert Perdziola chose to set the new production in the early 1800s, in what many know as the Jane Austen era. Over 350 costumes were created, each handmade and custom painted to match Perdziola’s exquisite designs. The innovative sets contain extensive amounts of moving scenery, making the entire production a truly magical experience. This was Perdziola’s first commission from Boston Ballet.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the new production,” says Nissinen. “It’s a sensational journey for those experiencing it for the first time, and for those who have been coming to The Nutcracker for generations.”

The 43-performances will feature 11 different casts, showcasing the vast talent within the Company, and providing many opportunities for dancers to shine in Soloist and Principal roles. Boston Ballet’s newest additions to the roster, Principal Dancers Petra Conti and Eris Nezha, will make their company debuts in The Nutcracker. The couple will perform the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and The Nutcracker Prince, as well as the Snow Queen and King. Each performance will be accompanied by P.I. Tchaikovsky’s renowned score, performed by the Boston Ballet Orchestra.

Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker is based on the libretto by Alexandre Dumas père titled The Tale of the Nutcracker, which is adapted from E. T. A. Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The story follows the wondrous journey of young Clara, who receives a nutcracker as a gift at her family’s Christmas Eve party. Later that night, her nutcracker magically transforms into a handsome prince, who leads her through an enchanted forest and on to the Nutcracker Prince’s Kingdom. This timeless classic is presented by State Street Corporation.

All performances of The Nutcracker will take place at The Boston Opera House, November 29 – December 29, 2013.

About Boston Ballet

2013-2014 Season TicketsSingle Tickets, Subscriptions, Group Sales tickets, and tickets to The Nutcracker for the 2013-2014 season are on sale now. Subscriptions and individual tickets are available for sales online 24 hours a day at www.bostonballet.org, by phone at 617.695.6955, or in person at the box office at 19 Clarendon Street, Boston, Mon–Fri, 9:30am-5pm and on performance days on Sat and Sun, 11am – 4pm. Group Sales tickets for 10 or more people are available by phone at 617.695.6955. Prices for season ballets start at $29. Tickets to The Nutcracker start at $35. Contact the Boston Ballet Box Office at 617.695.6955 or visit www.bostonballet.org for details.

About Boston BalletBoston Ballet’s internationally acclaimed performances of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary ballets, combined with a dedication to world class dance education and community outreach programs have made the institution a leader in its field, with a 50 year history of promoting excellence and access to dance. In addition to the brilliant programming for the 2013-2014 season, Boston Ballet will celebrate its 50th anniversary by launching a micro-site featuring 50 years of Boston Ballet in photos. Throughout the duration of the season, a limited edition souvenir program featuring never-before-seen Company photography will be sold. As an exciting new initiative, Boston Ballet will be reaching out to Company dancers of the past 50 years for an alumni weekend celebration March 14-16, 2014.

Boston Ballet maintains a diverse repertoire, ranging from timeless classics such as Marius Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle, John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet, and a rich collection of Balanchine choreography to cutting edge contemporary works by Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo and the visionary Jiří Kylián.

Boston Ballet School, the official school of Boston Ballet, has a long-standing dedication to excellence and access. The School reaches more than 10,000 students (toddler to adult) each year through Boston Ballet School classes, the Summer Dance Workshop, and the Summer Dance Program held at three studio locations in Boston, Newton, and Marblehead.

Boston Ballet’s nationally-acclaimed education programs include Citydance, Taking Steps, and Adaptive Dance. The programs are offered in partnership with the Boston Public Schools and in communities throughout the city and region.